> Ananomogamous > by The Psychopath > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Samael's betrayal? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Horseman of the apocalypse, War, walked through the space created by the demon prince Samael. Keeping to his promise pertaining to War bringing the last beating heart of the chosen to him, Samael created a portal that would lead to the tower of souls, the place where the greatest of the chosen, Straga, waited, increasing in power with every soul that he absorbed within the domain of the angel of death. War's armor was quite impressive indeed. On his head, and what rest on his shoulders, was a large red cowl outlined in golden threading.This cowl remained attached to War by a golden "button" depicting three outer claw slashes. It also stayed attached to his left shoulder by a giant, golden shoulder pad. The only thing that could be seen of the horseman's head was his face and the pupil-less white eyes, and the two lengths of white hair sliding off the sides. Some more red cloth swayed gently over his waist and a strand went over the crotch-plating of his armor. As for the metallic protection itself, the shining gray embodiment of protection engulfed War's whole body. However, the armor protecting his torso was as black as coal and took the shape of his muscles, although the abs were covered by a golden "belt" which resembled an eye. This same belt reached the horseman's legs and the waist-lay area was wrapped by the red cloth. The leg armor seemed segmented until reaching the knees, of which the armor stayed solid. However, the left knee-plate was round and had three golden "slashes" similar to the button holding the red cowl on War's right shoulder. While the right knee-plate took the shape of a bronze colored skull within a hexagon. This warrior of the apocalypse, perhaps, had many things about him that could be considered frightening if one doesn't dare to look upon the armor. The right gauntlet was as interesting as ever. A"simple" gauntlet with two overlapping "bat wing" motifs on the top of the hand. However, the left was far less pleasant to look at. It was twice, perhaps even thrice, the size of the right. Upon this giant gauntlet was emblazened the seal of war: a furious looking skull wracked by glowing red, yellow, and orange flames. It was within this gauntlet that The Watcher was laying in. However, one more detail must be spoken of the horseman. His weapon. A giant sword that no mere mortal, or maybe even, no mere angel or demon could wield. Chaoseater, a gigantic blade that thirsts for destruction. The blade's hilt wrapped around by a brown cloth, while the ending finished in a broken circle. The sharp edges of the giant sword, almost the size of it's wielder, looked roughed up and chipped away, but this was an illusion. War may age, but it will never dissappear. The middle part of the blade showed just how scary the Horsemen of the Apocalypse were. Several "screaming" faces lined this edge, and whenever the sword was infused with an empowering item, it would emanate an aura around it. The three main "skull" faces' eyes would always glow whenever this would happen. Perhaps, and this was a weapon unto itself, was War's personality. Forver loyal to the Council, he would follow orders fervently and never betray them. He would always make sure that the balance between the three kingdoms stay in existence, but an incident tore him of all powers, and caused his death by the giant fist of Straga. War had now been chained by the Watcher, a "Sprite", and both hated eachother quite alot. However, War's constant seriousness, his refusal to ever give-in, and his incomparable bravery made him an irritatable annoyance to demons, while angels had another reason to hate the horseman... The Watcher, yet, was the one "pulling the strings". The Council, not believing in War's promises to restore the balance, "chained" the horseman to a Sprite. Sprites were strange beings loyal to the council. Very loyal in fact. The one who was now laying within War's gauntlet considered the horseman as "a dog on a leash". This scrawny blackish-blue creature could certainly not defend itself from physical combat. The being did not have legs. In fact, it moved by expelling some form of dark green mist, a substance which it could turn itself into at will. It's head was a scrawny thing pushing out. While the Watcher had eyes, they were nothing but six turquoise colored slits standing above eachother. He could talk, yet he did not have a mouth. What could be considered "hair" was, in fact, what was a slow moving black-mist that seemed connected to the sprite in a way that, whenever he would move his head, a trail would never form, and the mist wopuls tay attached to his head. The sprite also has two wierd wings on it's back, still as weak and small as he is. His long skinny arms ended in surprisingly big hands with very boney fingers which were almost claw-like in appearance. The Sprite also wore a portion of a robe that was the same blue-black as it's body, and two chains attached to a simple belt hung from the front to reach the back, bith chains swaying gently on the sides of the Watcher. The area Wara nd this heathen walked within had a bright orange sky, with black filtering through the lower the sky got. Several stone paths and columns floated within this nether, as if held aloft by some invisible ghost. Whenever the horseman would walk forward and pass a "bridge" path, several stone tiles would seemingly come out of from the emptiness beneath and float in place, formering a perfectly leveled path. The Horseman's metal boots clanked within this vast dimensional pocket, giving some ambience besides the sound of dead wind flowing throughout the area. Looking straight forward, casually juping and using his shadow wings to hover to the next "bridge" whenever the tiles would not complete, War had to listen to the Watcher's suspicions about the demon prince who had boasted that he was similar to a god in pure power. War was not impressed with that display. "Hmmm...I suggest you watch yourself Horseman" Watcher lashed out as he looked around the area. "I don't trust that Samael, and, even though I have no care for what should happen to you within this world, I must watch over you nd make sure you keep your end of the deal." War grunted, his gravelly yet "light" voice responding to the Watcher with a tone indicating little interest in the Sprite's needs: "It is too late now. This path will take us to the Tower of Souls. And there, I will be able to kill Straga. That lumbering demon will fare no better than his predecessors." "Do not forgot that he defeated you once." Watcher seemed to take pleasure in the following words:" It would be ashame if something were to happen to you again during your travels through the tower." "This is not the time for your petty games. Straga will get his judgement, and the Council WILL see that I have not betrayed them." Watcher squinted his "eyes" and floated in front of War while still floating backwards. "Watch your tongue, Horseman. Any wrong speakings of the Council and you WILL pay for it." "Hmph." Suddenly, voices started to echo throughout the realm. There were several smaller voices, yet one seemed to stand out from the others, and it sounded like the voice of a woman, despite the strange voice. " Turyu cumas...Turyu cumas... Senseyu optemir...Senseyu optemir... War and the Watcher started to look around in confusion. "Where are those voices coming from? Did Samael..." whispered the Watcher. "No. This is an outside force. It is not the language of the creator, however. I do not know what the voices could be sumoning." The voice of the woman seemed to echo even louder than that of the others suddenly. "Turyu cumas...Senseyu Optemir... Kirteh gorandras folmorey faltimot...ANANOMOGAMOUS! That last word exploded through the dimensional pocket like a shock wave from an explosion, forcing War to shield his face with his giant gauntlet. "What was that?" he said while eyeing the area. Almost all at once, the dimension started to collapse. Further proof of this was the fact that the "bridges" and the stones started to crumble, and so did the pillars. "Samael betrayed us! I KNEW we shouldn't have trusted that damned demon! Quickly War, get to the portal!" Watcher said before dissolving into a greenish mist and seeping back within the horseman's gauntlet. The horseman looked around with his arms out, intending on finding pieces of the collapsing stones to use as leverage to reach the high portal. Seeing the tiles slowly falling down amongst the bolts of energy beng liberated by the dimensional walls, War jumped on these pieces and jumped higher than he ever could. He reached a piece of colapsing bridge and, hanging on the edge with his giant gauntlet, pushed off it with his feet and did the same for the other pieces of falling bridges and pillars. Unfortunately, it would seem that there weren't anymore bridge pieces left to reach the portal. Was it War's time for a real demise? No. Not yet. It would seem that a pillar who had just freshly collapsed was still floating somewhat over the abyss below. Using the abyssal chain obtained from Silitha, the spider squeen, War hooked onto the pillar and swung up there, only to fall onto the bridge piece and roll into the portal before it faded away in a bright display of flashing blue "barbed wire". The next thing the horseman knew, he was lying down upon a dark and humid rocky ground. Not wasting time, the horseman stood up, trying to see through the darkness. The Watcher also came up and seemed distraught at their new location, floating around and occasionally slamming against a rock wall. "Where are we now? This is not the Tower of Souls. And I can't see anything." Watcher used his magic to create a bright greenish flame on his hand, illuminating the entire cavern in a flash. Unfortunately, this was the home of a giant green dragon. It immediately opened it's eyes at the sight of the flame. This beast was lying upon a huge pile of gold and jewels. It approached War, who did not move an inch, and roared loudly in his face. "Who dares enter my cave?" yelled the beast while it snarled smoke. "A dragon? But they were killed off by man during the Dark Era. What sorcery is this? Is this a trick against the Council?" Watcher said. "Council? What stupid ideal is that?" War seemed to have become infuriated, while Watcher floated back in shock. "You DARE to mock the council?! I will have your head for this, and your soul will be tortured for all eternity!" "Silence! You two best leave my domain now, or I will roast you on a spit." the dragon said, throwing it's heead forward and spitting out some flames. War grabbed ahold of his sword's hilt. "You have two choices, lizard. Tell me where I am, and you will survive this encounter. However, you do not and you will die." "Such BOASTING! No beast or creature has killed a dragon before." War started to show his teeth in firy. "You will not be the first to suceed!" The dragon took a strike at War, who dodged and took out one of his other weapons, the tremor gauntlet. This gauntlet held the strength of planet Earth, giving enhanced strength to War. While floating in the air for a few short moments, War came crashing down to the ground of what was apparently a cave, and punched the clawed hand of the dragon, causing the roc beneath it to crack, and having the giant monster retract it's hand while screaming in agaony. "How dare you! DIE!" It exhaled a massive torrent of flames, which War barely avoided by using the Abyssal Chains again. Hooking onto the roof of the cave, the horseman dropped down onto the beast and grabbed it's wings. He put them between his arms and tugged hard. The huge pieces of flesh tore off in a frightening torrent of red and pain. Now the dragon was furious. It twisted suickly and slammed War into the wall wih a wlaw swipe, then exhaled flames onto this annoying pest. However, fire isn't enough to defeat one who was born through it, and War simply dropped onto the ground, his armor slightly reddened by the flames. Grinning, the horseman used his gauntlet and punched the oversized reptil into the neck, causing to lean over, coughing. The horseman then grabbed the dragon by the head and threw it across the room, slamming it into the walls. The caused the cave to destabilize and have several pieces of the roof to start crumbling in a cloud of brown dust. War wasn't over yet, he ran back towards the dragon, who was just barely hanging onto the threads of life, and cut the sharp-ended tail of the creature with his sword. The horseman kicked the tail up as he himself, jumped, into the air, then through the tail in an extremely straight, almost javelin-like, procedure. The tail pierced through the neck of the beast and even managed to reach through and go further through the wall. That tail was enough to start having the portion of the cave start to crumble. The Watcher called for his "dog" and led him out of the cave into the wide open. The final entry of this place was forever entrapped within the stones of battle. It was certainly never going to be seen again. The most astonishing thing to occur to both creatures of the other world was what they saw before them. A massive jungle of a healthy, thick greenery, and several non-demonic birds to boot! The Watcher's "eyes" were wide in disbelief as his arms to hung flaccidly to his sides. "Where in the nine hells is this place? How did such an area stay like this on Earth after judgement day?" "This isn't Earth." War said as we walked forward towards the very high edge of the mountain. The sprite moved aside as the horseman moved forward. "I must learn where we are. I must restore the balance to my own world, and this one has nothing for me." "Fine. As much as I hate to admit it, you know best. I will try and contact the Council in the meantime." The Watcher returned to the large gauntlet, allowing War a moment of peace to observe this world whi was very much alive and didn't wield the Ashlands in which those massive Ashworms grew in. The Horseman looked down, seeing the insanely high gap from the cliff to the ground, and hopped off with no more expression than that of his usual frowning. War smashed through several trees and slammed into the ground with loud *boom*. Causing a massive crater, as well as a small earthquake. Simply standing up as if nothing happenned, the horseman moved through the forest. He had already met with one of it's denizens, the Timber Wolves. His landing woke theme up. Lifting an eyebrow in interest, War didn't even bother to take out his sword. The first Timber wolf jumped at him. War simply grabbed the wolf by the maw with his left gauntlet and crushed it with a squeeze. He smirked as he dropped the ball of wood leaking "sap" upon the ground. The other wolves stood back, but the alpha forced them forward. Two more did the same, but at different angles. Using his scythe this time, War slashed through the wolves, cutting them in half before they reached him. The four pieces separated and hit eachother in front and behind the horseman. This one crossed his arms, showing that these little things were no threat to him. "Do you wish to continue this fight, or am I going to have to kill you in different ways?" The reamaining wolves fled, their tails between their legs. Uncrossing his arms, the Horseman continued his path through the woods, not turning around after hearing a strange cracking noise. "Is that it? By Morvis, it looks terrifying." said a changeling, it's green eyes filled with fear. "Yes. That's it. My queen, we have found it." "What? Show me." This tall being was quite frightening. She was completely black, and the base of her legs ended in holed segments. She had fangs in her mouth and her giant murky green eyes were overlapped by her mane which flew down like black seaweed. Even her black horn was crooked. It was not a pretty sight to see. And who could forget those flimsy holed insect wings? She was truly the epitome of her own subjects. "Yes. Yes. That is it. Hmmm...he smells of power and strength. I could get great energy if I drained him of it all. Mhmhmhmha." "But, my queen-" said one of the changelings with a worried face. "Silence!" she "yelled", making sure to not draw the attention of this newly summoned being. The queen stared at her subject who was now cowering in fear." The plan will continue. I will have my revenge, and it will manage that for me." > The Ivamora > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As War continued to walk through the dark and humid forest, he came upon what looked like a flowery crater with a small "tower" made of dirt in it's middle. This place was filled with blue and yellow flowers swaying by some unknown means. Covering the brown/orange dirt hill in the middle was what looked like several green vines which ended in huge lumps. The horseman looked at this area and "grinned" his eyes. The apocalypse had already fallen, and the possibility of any form of life remaining seemed to have been an impossible oversight by both warring forces. War walked through the flowers, crushing them as he went closer to the vines to try and see if this was not a demonic trick. Thinking about it, the skies usually had balls of fire fall down, bringing with it a new demon. Even the Hellguard, the angels locked outside of Heaven due to their defeat, were frequently seen flying overhead, sometimes upon their heavenly beasts. But this silence was unnatural for War, who yearned for an explanation as to his location, and a return to his own world in order to kill Straga and restore the balance. An oversight of War led to his learning of what the "vines" were in reality. ( This should fit the feeling of the beast. It is known to be in a calm environnment after all.) The "lumps" swayed around violently as the vines straightened and curved to show what was actually a giant beast of plants. The lumps of this beast were actually it's heads. Seven in total, and each were much different from the other. The majority of the heads resembled the flowers lying down around the creature while the main head was actually quadruple-mawed and had both yellow jagged petals pointing forward while the blue petals seemed to seep with some sort of poison. The vines kept swaying around while the few leaves attached to this things flipped and spun occasionally. This creature gave out a terrible roar that cracked the rocks and trees around it. The horseman barely even reacted. However, the changelings following him around were not so fortunate. Watching from the safety of their bushes, some of the love-parasites had fallen to the floor in seizure. "M-m-my queen!" yelled one of the changelings as he looked behind himself in worry. The queen continued to look at this scene. One of the most powerful and dangerous of the Everfree monsters against the one who would make her plan complete. Chrysalis gave off a wicked smile as she felt the power flow upon her "glamorous" body, her fangs dripping in anticipation. "Ignore them. I want to see if what we summoned would indeed be what I'm looking for." The changeling started to panic as he saw the insanity written on his queen's face. "But, that is the Ivamora. No beast alive has ever left it's domain once it has trampled the flowers. You know as well as I that that thing is unkillable!" "YES! And that is exactly why I must see if this being is powerful enough to get out of this encounter alive. Now be quiet!" The main head of the Ivamora swayed gently from side to side as green acid dripped from it's jagged "fly trap" like mouth, while the other heads occassonally clapped their heads in eagerness, also swaying gently from side to side. The horseman didn't even look up. "Hmph. I don't have time to play with a flower." he said as he walked around the mount of dirt the Ivamora rested on. Unfortunately, a huge wall of intertwining vines completely blocked War's passage. Finally looking up, he could see the main head "looking" at him. It finally roared again, and War took out his sword, hopping away the vines swinging at him. He jumped back and frowned. "If your wish is death, then I shall send you to my brother." he said before slamming his sword into the ground and causing several blades to swipe out from beneath the Ivamora, who yelped and fell off it's perch. The horseman walked slowly towards the "up-rooted" plant, ready to pierce it's heads with his sword, but the Main head suddenly turned around and threw two of it's blue petals at War, who narrowly dodged them and jumped back. The petals stuck to a tree, which decayed into slime in naught but a moment. War looked behind him then back to the Ivamora that was now standing tall, unaffected by it's lack of roots. "Hmm. A plant capable of movement without it's roots. Surely,this a reject of the Creator. It will die the same as everything else that has blocked my path." The Ivamora roared yet again, tearing away any of the more fragile stones and trees to mere shreds. The creature started to "slide" across the ground to reach War, throwing it's heads and spitting acid at him quite frequently, the horseman could not approach due to the quantity of acid being spat at him. So, he did the next best thing. Taking out jis glaive as well as his four barreled gun "Mercy", the horseman threw the glaive far behind the creature, confusing both it and the watching changelings. Ignoring that "miss", the plant-monster returned to attacking War, only to start getting blasted to pieces by the gun. War remained in place as every part of the plant creature was torn to shreds with every shot. This creature was now down to it's last head, and it was twitching and writhing as several pieces of it's now holed body chipped off by themselves. The Ivamora only had three of it's maws left, and it's mouth seemed to be filled with a massive amount of it's green acid saliva. As it readied it's attack, War simply put up his giant gauntlet in silence, causing the creature to flinch. Yet, nothing happenned, and it readied once more. *schlink* The head fell onto the floor, and War put his glaive back in place as he turned around to exit the area. "Hmph. That was a good warm-up. I wonder if any worthy adversaries shall present themselves." *jitterjitter* "What?" The body of the Ivamora was shaking, and every part of it was regenerating at an incredible rate. Now the beast had fourteen heads. It was like a hydra, and the main head was still there, "staring" War down from a high vantage point. "I see. It seems I will need to use better tactics to kill what is supposed to be immortal." The horseman closed his eyes and started to spin in the air while he was being surrounded by orange and red streams of flames. Suddenly, these flames surrounded him entirely for just a brief moment, then expanded outwards to reveal War's chaos form. The horseman was now twice his usual size, and his body seemed to flow like lava. He now had "skinless" wings, the three bones hanging over his back like destroyed hope. His sword, Chaoseater, was equally imbued with the same powers, although it glowed a very bright yellow-white and was more jagged in appearance, like a scimitar. War's appearance was now akin to a demon with two giant horns sticking forward from his forehead, then going upwards. His new "tail" ended in a type of spear-head, while his legs were like most demons: bent backwards. The Ivamora was still unimpressed and sent it's minor heads to grab War's form and lock him in place. The main head expelled it's yellow petals, piercing through War and going through several trees behind as well. The plant beast then expelled the blue petals into the holes, expecting the enemy to melt away, but nothing happenned. War's Chaos form looked up and tore away the vines by simply moving. He then struck several times with his sword, causing the ground to shake with every swipe. The Ivamora was literally desintegrated in the end, as was the entire area. No flowers remained, and only little green chunks remained. Looking over the pieces of this foe, War reverted back to his original form. "Quite the fighter. A much better challenger than the Stygian, although it lacked in size..." The horseman expected the Watcher to come out at any moment, yet nothing happenned. There was a problem. "Watcher." War growled into his gauntlet. A green mist exited it and turned into the sprite. "What is it horseman? Oh! You wish to know about the Council? I still can't contact them." "But that's impossible. The council could not have been-" "Watch what you say, War. There are some things you cannot speak, even in your thoughts." the Watcher said as his skinny fingers wrapped the air around War's face. "I must know where I am. Try again, or we may be doomed to wander this realm for all eternity." "My pleasure." The watcher returned to the gauntlet, mumbling something that was intelligible to the horseman. War looked back to make sure the creature was finally dead and, with a sense of satisfaction, went back to traveling through the woods. The changelings were completely shocked, yet queen Chrysalis looked quite excited. "By Morvis, it...it actually destroyed the Ivamora. We must stay away from it!" yelled a changeling. He had his front legs close to his mouth, and the rear legs he was standing on shook furiously. "Ohohohoho! What a monster! Yes. It will do perfectly. Keep close to it. I must contact it, quickly!" The changelings galopped out of their hiding spot and towards the last known location, leaving those who had undergone a seizure behind. Instead of finding the warrior clad in his frightening armor, small specks of flame could be seen on the floor. Looking far away, one could see what looked like a huge equidae being ridden by the creature. Queen Chrysalis screamed in fury. She couldn't go back out, not after what had happenned at Canterlot. The queen cursed and kicked about as her rage turned her red. "Come. We must return to Morvis." she said, looking furiously at the ground. "Why?" asked one of the remaining changelings. "Because I must remake my plan, and the Ivamora is starting to expell a seed that will bring it back very soon." The changeling yiped in fear as it looked behind itself and fleed further away into the forest. Chrysalis would have her revenge, and seeing how powerful this creature was, it would be a piece of cake to achieve it. Yet, a change of events that she did not foresee occurred. This creature had a mount, and it was very fast. She would have to drag him back into the forest by any means necessary. As War hung onto Ruin's black mane as this gigantic flaming horse ran and hopped throughout the forest, a few more obstacles came into view, such as a giantic boulder. A few shots from Mercy, and the rock was as good as gone. The further he went, the less thick the vegetation became. War slowed Ruin down, who snorted in dissappointment for the short run. They were near the edge of the forest, and war would have to be careful. The horseman sent his bulky brown steed back into the flames and hid behind a tree near the light going through the trees. The horseman heard something singing and expected to see a succubus draining it's next victim of all life, or, perhaps, an angel singing of it's torment. Instead, after leaning further, War could see what looked like a tiny yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail petting a rabbit on it's and surrounded by a bunch of other woodland creatures. What was near her was another one of these strange Equidae. This one was more of a lavender color. She had a blue mane and tail, although one pink and purple stripe flowed through one portion, and the mane was slightly spread apart by a horn protruding from it's head. She seemed to be talking to the yellow one, who nodded in approval. This "Twilight Sparkle", as the yellow pegasus called it, went into a house made from a hollowed-out tree. War looked at these creatures, completely estranged. He wasn't sure what to make of this scene. Atleast he was certain he was no longer upon the charbroiled Earth. Perhaps there was some form of "balance" here, and a powerful demon or an Old One that could return him to Earth. His duty was to the balance, and nothing would get in his way. He took one step away from the tree, and the yellow pegasus stopped singing as even the bears and wolves that seemed tamed became viscious monsters. "H-hello? Is anypony there?" War walked forward, although his body couldn't be seen, the "eye sockets" of his knee-plate had light reflect off of it, giving the pegasus the impression that this was a tiny creature standing close to her. The yellow pegasus lowered herself to "it's" level and started making gestures with her hoof while sporting a very kind and "adorable" face, although War was amused at this misinterpretation. Well...as amused as a Horseman of the Apocalypse can be. He started to walk forward, his boots stomping powerfully onto the dead leaves and branches which lay strewn upon the ground. The yellow pegasus looked so happy, and she moved slowly backwards, still mumbling insanities to War's ears. "There you go. Just so you know, my name is Fluttershy, what's yourrrrrrr....*gasp*" Once War was being embraced by the light of a living sun, Fluttershy looked up to see this truly frightening creature. It was worse than a dragon, Nightmare Moon, and a hydra put together! While she sat on her rear, her left hoof shaking in front of her mouth, War stared at her from his extreme heights. "Cc-c-c-c-" "Stop stuttering and answer me clearly." he said coldly. Fluttershy yelped an "okay" before rolling into a ball. "W-w-w-what d-d-d- yy-y-ou want?" "I want to know where I am." "You're in E-ee-e-....-e-e-e..." "WHERE?!" That last roar broke Fluttershy who started to cry in fear as War grabbed her with his massive gauntlet and stared at this fearful creature in confusion. This obviously wasn't an illusion either, as demons wouldn't lower themselves to this point. However, as War started to look at this tiny thing crying in front of his typical "angry" face, another voice was heard, followed by a magic bolt deflected by the horseman's free hand. "Let go of Fluttershy!" Twilight Sparkle yelled as her horn glew an extremely bright purple. War simply turned his head and stared blatantly at this newcomer. "Hmph. A witch." he mused. He was having quite an unusual amount of encounters, although this was typical in the life of a Horseman of the Apocalypse, and, being the Horseman impersonating war in all it's forms, he appreciated battle quite alot, but he never smiled, and this is what unnerved many around him. Would this new encounter be yet another menace? Probably not. > Twilight's endeavor > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the lumbering, armored giant stood before Twilight Sparkle, she couldn't help but feel that there was something wrong about this thing. Not only was it unaffected by her bolt of magic, but it emanated an aura around it that caused discomfort and great fear to boil within the unicorn's stomach. Swallowing her fears, Twilight warned the creature again: "Let go of Fluttershy. RIGHT. NOW!" War simply stared at this little ccreature who was trying to give him orders. He dropped the little yellow pegasi who flopped on the ground and rolled onto her flank. War let his gauntlet drop to his side as he turned around and gave Twilight a menacing glare. Although this was his typical expression, the unicorn was not used to this sort of thing. As Twilight kept warning this gigantic beast, she unconciously took a step back as War crept closer. Twilight started to get cold sweat as a feeling of endless battle and bloodshed started to fill her. She suddenly stopped, incapable of moving her legs anymore as they shook like dead leaves in the wind. "St-st-stay back!" she yiped. Her horn started to glow violently. "STAY BACK!" Twilight's horn suddenly burst in a bright flash, propelling a beam of pure, sparkling energy at War. As the unicorn forced her eyes open, she saw that the beam was "splashing" against the monster, yet nothing was happening, then it started to shrink. Twilight's pupils shrunk as well. "That's impossible!" War's giant gauntlet suddenly plowed through the beam and grabbed the ulicorn by the throat. She struggled to get out of this clutch as her horn fizzled with sparks. Twilight started to gag as War seemed irritated and was squeezing her tightly. "Your tricks won't work on me, witch. Tell me, where am I?" "I....I'm not a ....witch." "Then what are you?" "A u.....unicorn...*gag*." War let go of Twilight, who promptly fell to the floor. The little pony reached for her throat and looked up angrily at War, who seemed to care "quite alot". "Where. Am. I?" "Will you leave if we tell you?" asked Fluttershy, who was still sniffing. She seemed worried for Twilight, and this was enough for the shy pony to scrounge up some courage. The horseman's face was still frightening for her. "Then tell me where I am, and I will leave." "You're in Equestria." "Equestria? The council has never made of mention of this place. Then I have indeed landed in another world." As War pondered these thoughts, Fluttershy looked sternly at the horseman. "So, are you leaving?" "Let me think abuot my situation first." Fluttershy's bubble had burst. This thing scared her to the point of her nearly stopping, he scared her animal friends, and then he hurt Twilight. She systematically used "the stare". The pegasi fluttered up to the horseman's face in fury as her eyes started to "bulge out". "Now listen here mister! You said you would leave once I told you where you were. You hurt my friend, and I don't take kindly to-" War used his normal hand to push the pegasi away. She spun around in confusion as she had learned that her stare did not work on him, the first ever creature to be unaffectd by "the stare". Looking upon the path leading to the still intact village ahead, War summoned Ruin, and jumped onto his mount's back as they both rode off in a torrent of flame and ash. The two ponies had to warn Ponyville about this incoming creature, and Twilight had to tell Celestia about it. Riding along the passage, War noticed Watcher exit his place and reform in front of his face. "I cannot contact the council. Have you uncovered anything regarding this?" "Yes. We are in another world entirely. I don't think the three worlds exist here." The Watcher's "eyes" widened in shock. "That is impossible. There is no world the council does not govern!" "This is one of them." "I cannot believe your words, War." the Watcher hissed:" I will stay around for awhile and see what creatures lie ahead." "Do whatever pleases you. I have no time for your games." Coming closer to the city, one could see that a make-shift blockade was already created. Several ponies covered in various kitchen apparel were waiting at the entrance of the town. Watcher was amused. "Hm? These pathetic beings wish to stop us? War! Tear that barrier down!" A loud neigh from Ruin, and the mount became engulfed in fire as it charged forward like a rocket. Several of the ponies ran away in fear, but others stood prepared. However, their efforts proved fruitless, as Ruin smashed through the barrier, tossing everypony into the air. The mount spun in place and raised it's front high into the air to intimidate. War's horse was quite happy with the situation. Some of the inhabitants of Ponyville got back up and raised pitchforks and other various things in order to "fend off" the invader. War found nothing of value and decided to continue forward, yet, as Ruin turned around, a pink pony landed onto the horse's head, causing him to thrash about in surprise. "Hey! I'm not gonna let ya get through here without payback!" The pink pony was holding some sort of cannon. "What the hell is that thing it's holding." Watcher said as he put his hand onto his "chin" in a pensive manner. *BOOM* The cannon had enough strength to actually catch War off guard and have him hop off Ruin. Calling the mount back into fire and brimstone, the horseman wiped the pastry off of his face. "YAAAAAAA!" the pony yelled as several cupcakes and pies that seemingly came out nowhere flew at War. The horseman, of course, was mildly irritated, but respected the being's need for battle despite...inadequate tools. Pulling out Mercy, War shot everything as it approached him halfway through the air. The sounds of small "booms" resonated throughout the town, yet, once it stopped, the pink pony was now on the horseman's right shoulder, looking at his firearm in curiosity. War was set aback by the sudden appearance of this being on his shoulder. "What's that?! What does it do? Can I have it?" the pink pony said excitingly. "No. Get off me." "Why? Oh, somepony needs a hug!" She proceeded to hug War's head. If anyone could have felt something, War's name was not "anyone", and he was just more annoyed. "Stop that." "*gasp* My hugs aren't enough?" Pinkie fell to the floor with a sad face. She lookd up at War with big watery eyes, causing the horseman to crock an eyebrow. "I am not here for a fight. I only wish to return to my world and leave this one at once." "Just kill her and get on with it." The Watcher said as he rubbed his hands together. Pinkie didn't notice the thing yet and started bouncing around the floating sprite. "Ooo! What are you! Hahaha! You're all skinny and you don't have feet!" she said as she looked at the ground underneath the floating creature. "You dare mock me you insolent welp?" "Somepony is grumpy." "I am protected by the Council! Yet you continue?" "What's the "Council"? You mean Celestia and Luna?" "Wha-" War was intrigued by the two names that this pony pronounced, and decided to try and get some more information from her. "Wat is your name?" he asked. "I'm Pinkie Pie! Pleased to meet you! What's your's?" "War." "That's...a scary name. Why on't I call you Shiny armor?!" "No." "Pfff. Fine." Pinkie said as she puffed up a lip. "Who are these "Celestia" and "Luna" characters? Are they old ones?" "Well, they are old, but they don't look it, and they have AWESOME powers." "Old ones in this world as well... Where can I find-" "OOOO! There's princess Celestia!" A giant white pony surrounded by guardsmen had flown down to meet the horseman in personal. She looked quite angry. "So, you're the one who has been causing mischief within my domain?" "I need to return to my world. The balance is at stake." "Yes, well, come with me, and we shall talk about how you will return." The guards and Celestia seemed nervous and excited at the same time, yet, they started to fly towards the Everfree forest. War squinted his eyes in suspicion, but he summoned Ruin and mounted his horse, much to the displeasure of Watcher, who looked at the ponies now waiting in the sky. He quickly spun around and talked to the horseman. "I would be cautious. They seem to want to talk to you quite quickly. If this is another Samael, then I suggest you quickly tear them down." "Hmph." The Watcher returned to the gauntlet as War and Ruin started to follow princess Celestia away from the town, much to the pleasure of the inhabitants. They were sure their sun princess would take care of this creature and whatever his mount was. As War galopped further away from the town, Twilight Sparkle galopped to the center, where she saw the damage already done by that beast. Pinkie was bouncing around happily, as she usually does. Infuriated, Twilight stomped towards her friend and yelled: "Pinkie Pie! What are you doing? Where's that thing?" "You mean War? He left when princess Celestia came by." "War? That would explain those fee- what do you mean princess Celestia came by?" "Well, yeah. Didn't you send a letter to her?" "I JUST sent it! It's not possible that she could have arrived so fast." "What? Then who was that? There were even the guards." Pinkie started to scratch her head in confusion. "I wonder if it was....no...she wouldn't dare. Especially with something that powerful." Whatever was going on, War was following the flying Celestia deep into the forest. Hopefully, the Ivamora is still dead. > The next six "hearts" > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The deeper into the forest War went, the more suspicious he grew. Obviously, this "Celestia" as of a high status, something he cared less about. However, she also seemed to arbor the motifs of the sun. For someone so akin to the angels of the first realm, she seemed to adore darkness very much. That, and her "warriors" seemed deadly afraid of the horseman. The weakest of demons would attack the horseman head-on without even thinking twice. The fact that these guards seemed somewhat stronger than those same demons was inexcusable for their fears, so this must have been a ploy. Even Ruin had his doubts. The horse suddenly slowed down as the ground strated to transform into murky waters. The further War ad ruin went, the more apparent the scenery became. It was very dark with lots of swamp plants and weird little stems ending in a bulbous yellow ball. The ground was barely anything left of the ground, mostly seeming to be made from water now. The surrounding cliffs were carved out to make what looked like dried-mud homes. Several little faces were poking out as "Celestia" turned around to face the horseman, who was now walking in the mud alongside his mount. Ruin seemed irritated by the inability to see the flames constantly emanating from the bottom of his hooves. This was reflected by the fact that he kept lifting his hooves and tried to kick off the murky substance. War was readying something as "Celestia" spoke "dearly", almost seductively, to the horseman as she walked around him. "So, you are the one who has been invading my domain?" "Yes." "I must thank you. I...my people here have been cursed, and we can no longer go into the normal environnment because of my Döppelganger and her evil sister. Look at what most of us have become." she said as the changelings came out of their hiding places. War crocked an eyebrow, and slowly approached Celestia, who was seemingly "crying". She gave a hidden grin, but felt something hit the side of her face, only to find herself in a hole through the wall. The horseman had another gauntlet around his right hand. It was the tremor gauntlet. With the face of a demon on it, the gauntlet could control the powers of the earth, causing shockwaves and such. It even increased War's physical prowess. As "Celestia" tried to figure out what had just happenned, the being in front of her punched the ground firmly, causing the surrounding changelings to tumble to the floor, and have a wave of the mud fling up as the wave of energy caused the "houses" to fall upon the princess. War jumped casually onto the pile and pulled the wounded being out, only to toss her back into the mud. As the deity of the sun coughed up some dirt and dust, she looked up to see the giant towering above her. "Wh-what are you doing?" "Stop your mind games." he said menacingly."This is not your form. Reveal your true self, or I'll force you to." the horseman ended with the tremor gauntlet slowly inching towards Celestia's neck. "Okay! No need to go so far." The guards and "Celestia" returned to their original selves, although the "guards" were cowering behind their queen, who grinned frustratingly at the horseman. Even as she stood up, he still leaned over her without any effort. "What do you want?" he asked coldy. "I just want you to help us. We really are cursed, and I'm sure that only you can help us." "Hmph. I have no time to play around with pitiful black specks." War started to turn around, aiming for his mount, but queen Chrysalis stopped him with a call, the side of her face still swollen from the shock of the gauntlet. "I know how to send you back to your world." she said with a grin. War's eyes widened as he heard this, and he quickly grabbed the changeling queen by the throat as he took out his scythe and aimed the tip at Chrysalis. The changeling's eyes grew in size as the purple tip grew closer to her. "Y-yes. I can take you back, but you must do something for me." "Fine." the horseman said as he threw the queen back onto the ground, making a nasty splash in the process. Queen Chrysalis took the moment to massage her neck, the very fibers having been crushed by a merciless hand that reeked of blood. The two didn't notice the other two changelings going towards Ruin, who was now trying to burn off the murky waters from his hooves. As the changelings looked up at the brimstone mount, the mount looked back. These changelings adorned a sneaky look, indicating a sinister idea hiding within their minds. Meanwhile, Chrysalis started to speak, while receiving the threatening pressure from War. "You have to get six jewels known as the "Elements of Harmony" from Canterlot castle. I can transport you directly to it, but you will...*cough*...end up right in the middle of the army laying there." "I need to return to my world as soon as possible...hurry up with your spell already." *BAM* "AAAAAAAHHHHH!" yelled two flaming changelings who flew right by War and Chrysalis. The two ignored these fireballs. "Good. They are currently held within the vault room. If you go through the throne room, a secret passage should be just underneath the throne. Find it, bring the jewels to me, and our people will be freed." War frowned even more. "Fine, but hurry up, I don't wish to stay here any longer than I should." "Do not worry. Call that beast of yours away and we will be able to send you within the castle walls." War didn't even move that Ruin returned to whatever world he was connected to. Chrysalis smiled "beastily" as some sort of rune formed right underneath War. He looked down and tried to discern whatever language it was written in. To his surprise, it was neither a language of man, demon, or angel. It was unknown. However, Chrysalis and a few other changelings surrounded the horseman and started chanting something strange. In a sudden burst of energy, the mud started flying and surrounded War almost entirely as he became blind to the outside world. As soon as his "funnel" prison dumbed down, he found himself standing on fresh green grass surrounded by tall white walls of purity, all while being stared at by several golden-armored ponies. Chrysalis stood back up from her muddy perch, sweat trickling down her forehead. The look of insanity reflecting from her eyes disturbed and worried the others. One of them stepped forward as she was pushed by the others. Her teeth were chattering and her limbs were flailing, but she gathered her courage and said: "M-m-m-my queen? What now?" "Now...while Celestia and Luna are distracted with that big brainless oaf, we'll feast. We can do much with just a few hours. Come!" Chrysalis yelled as she expanded her thin wings. The hours started to fill with confidence as they left Morvis, their home area of Everfree. War was going to have much fun with what he was about to do, and what would follow. This is a cliffhanger chapter. That's why it' so short. Trololol! > Ivamora Draygon > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- War looked around the white walls that he found himself botched behind, and saw an entrance to the castle right in front of him. It was blocked by two puny guards. This wierd world wasn't where he needed to be. If he wanted to stay, he would, but he did not, and the faster he left, the better. So, as he approached the entrance, the two guards fearlessly blocked the individual with their spears. "Halt! You do not have permission to enter the castle. Leave at once!" yelled one of the guards. The Watcher flew out into the open, only to shock the ponies even more. "War, we have no time to lose. Dispose of these guards and be through with them. Perhaps that supposed "cursed" one will get us back once we take these "elements"." To those words, the guards eyes widened, and the alert rang. As quick as lightning, War and the Watcher found themselves surrounded by tiny little white equidae equipped with all manner of weapons. War exhaled a large amount of air, causing some of the guards to flinch. Watcher rubbed his scrawny hands in anticipation. "While I appreciate your bravery, I suggest you stand aside." War said coldly. "What are you doing? Just kill them already and we'll be done with this." Watcher said while gesturing towards the guards. "You don't scare us beast. You and that skinny pet of yours." "PET?!" "You were warned, and you should fear me." War took out Chaoseater and spun around like a cyclone, cutting apart all material and objects around him, and tossing everything far away. The guards behind the entrance quickly closed the door. One kick, and the door was blasted to pieces. The unicorns standing further away formed a triple-layered barrier and started to throw bolts right threw it. War took out Mercy and started firing. Mercy is a weapon with infinite ammo and the ability for continued firing, thus, War kept firing and firing until a guard was foolish enough to try and sneak behind the horseman. War grabbed the guard and threw him in the air. Using his tremor gauntlet, War punched the guard through the barriers, shattering them. The guard also knocked out the unicorns and dragged them with him. War was having much fun here. Seen from outside, the entire castle was shaking and rumbling. There were even portions exploding by some unknown means, although pieces of furniture and metal would often leave through the holes. When the horseman finally arrived in front of the massive wooden doors leading to the throne room, he literally ripped the doors off their hinges. In front stood two alicorns. "Ah?" said the Watcher. "How dare you attack my subjects and my kingdom!" yelled Celestia. "I have no time for this. Give me the elements and I will be able to return to my home." "No. We shall not give them to you!" screamed Luna. The two alicorns readied their magics as War readied his glaive. Throwing it almost idiotically, the weapon flew abve the princesses' heads. Looking back down, Luna mocked: "Ha! With poor marksmanship like that, you will not defe-" *BAM* It would seem that the glaive's purpose was to saw a hole in the ceiling right above the two alicorns, who were now underneath quite alot of rubble. "Quite impressive the destruction that you leave in your wake, horseman." Watcher muttered as he floated above the two squirming alicorns. War ignored the sprite and walked up the mount to the throne. A dabbled golden thing with red cushions, now damaged by the debris of the door. War ripped it off it's hinges and threw it through the wall, causing even more mass destruction. There was a very deep and dark hole underneath that throne, and it was big enough to accomodate War's girth. Without hesitation, the horseman jumped down the hole and landed with a very loud *crack*. The gray stone bricks beneath him being lifted high into the air. Directly in front of him lay the "jewelry", also known as the "elements of harmony". Grinning at the sight of these ridiculous things, the horseman grabbed each and every one and crushed them within the grasp of his giant gauntlet, stocking them within a pocket dimension. Instead of looking for another way out, War jumped up and grabbed the walls of the "well" he jumped through and climbed up with the strength of his arms, the feet being of no use here. As the horseman jumped back out, he spotted Chrysalis and her changelings talking with the Watcher. War moved forward and dropped the elements in front of the buried princesses. "No!" mumbled Celestia. "Quiet! Now then, send us back to our world queen." Watcher said in irritation. The queen looked at War in envy but, somehow, opened the portal back to War's world. She only muttered "Ananomogamous" in an inaudible tone. The portal looked like Samael's creation. Still orange, with black emanations akin to bats. "There we go. I've upheld my end of the bargain. You are free to return to your world." War squinted and jumped to the side as something green and jagged charged at his chest. "Oh? You knew?" "Your lies are not enough to fool me, changeling. You tried to trick me into tipping the balance of this world in your favor. I only followed because I knew you could sen me back to my world. Now you try to kill me? Bad move." "Hmhmhm! Yes. And with the powers I absorbed from the surrounding villages, even YOU cannot stop me! The only being to have killed the Ivamora." "The what?" Celestia and Luna finally forced the rubble off of themselves. Their eyes were bulging wide. "But...nopony has managed to defeat it, let alone kill it. Do you know what you've done?!" screamed Celestia in panic. The sound of cracking stone could already be heard, and the sights of enormous green vines started to climb the walls and windows outside. "Whenever the Ivamora is killed, it lets out a seed. That seed is known as the Ivamora Draygon. It was growing all over these areas after some foals had killed the first as it was still growing. The ensuing destruction was terrible." Luna said. Chrysalis chuckled. "I can easily defeat it with my new powers!*clink* AAAAH!" The Ivamora Draygon had burst through the surrounding walls and had grabbed the changelings unprepared. Dangling from the legs, Chrysalis tried to zap it with her magic. To her surprise, it wasn't affected. "What?! Why isn't it working?!" "You idiot! It is immune to magic!" shouted Luna while trying to cut the incoming vines with her magic. "WHAT?!" yelled the changelings. War looked at what he had started. He needed to stop this. It would restore the balance, and his own world needed him quickly. Straga was growing stronger by the minute. "I will stop this." "What? But you-" "It is for the balance." "...fine...but hurry up." complained the Watcher as he returned to War's gauntlet. Before the captured changelings and te fighting alicorns, War changed into his chaos form. Charging forward and jumping out the window, one could see that the Ivamora Draygon had spread all across Canterlot, the massive head staring at War from the center. It fired several of it's yellow petals at the horseman, who simply ran through the blades. The plant started to attack with it's other heads, biting itself in the process. A house was thrown into the air as War ran along the oversized vines. The horseman caught it, umbued it with his powers, and threw the thing full force at the main head, who became stunned for a few moments. Jumping on another of the flying houses, the horseman jumped on this would and finally through hiself down the throat of the Ivamora Draygon. The creature started to look around confused, but felt itself being torn apart. Thrashing about, the creature barfed War in the direction of the portal. The ensuing collision and dissappearance of this sent out a shockwave that literally desintegrated any remains of the plant. War finally dropped withint the black walls of the tower of souls. Traversing a door which was encrusted with the orange energy of death, the horseman passed over an unstable bridge created from stone fragments temporarily held aloft by the souls underneath. Having continued through, the horseman found himself in the main room of the tower. In the middle of the room floated an angel imprisoned by what looked like three armored, stone skulls. "Azrael..." War announced. The angel looked up. Sorry about this bad and rushed ending, but I had to finish it.It didn't end up like I wanted it to, as War isn't exactly the best of characters to work with. Meh. Experimentation, experimentation...TO THE NEXT STORY!